National benefits company makes deal with Hillcrest. - Waco Tribune-Herald (Waco, TX)

Byline: Mike Copeland

Jul. 6--Thousands of Central Texans covered by Humana commercial health plans can pursue treatment at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center and its clinics beginning Aug. 1.

Headquartered in Louisville, Ky., Humana is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with about 9.3 million medical plan members.

It has about 240,000 members in commercial plans in its Humana of Central Texas program. A new agreement between Hillcrest and Humana means members can soon get inpatient, outpatient and emergency treatment at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, 3000 Herring Ave., or at a network of nine primary care clinics that Hillcrest operates.

'This agreement represents a commitment by both organizations to provide members with convenient, communitywide access to the quality care and services for which Hillcrest Health System is known,' Hillcrest CEO Art Hohenberger said in a statement.

Other hospitals still available The agreement does not mean Hillcrest has cornered the local market on dealing with Humana.

Humana will keep its contracts with Waco-based Providence Healthcare Network; Temple-based Scott & White, which has clinics all over Central Texas; and King's Daughters Hospital in Temple.

'It's not uncommon for carriers to have arrangements with as many hospitals and facilities as deemed necessary,' said Richard T.P. Willis, president of Humana of Central Texas.

'The biggest demand of employers is to give their employees access to a variety of providers in the marketplace.

He added that Humana had contracts with Hillcrest 'years ago,' but they expired.

Kent Keahey, president and CEO of Providence Healthcare Network, said Providence has had an agreement with Humana since 1999 to provide health-care services to members.

He said many plans allow members to visit several hospitals, including Hillcrest and Providence, and he believes this approach serves employees and their families well.

'It's kind of hard to gauge the impact. We'll just have to wait and see. We certainly think it's good news for patients, who will have more options,' said Scott & White spokeswoman Lisa Soule. 'Waco has been a competitive market for us, and it looks as if it is growing in competition. We think that's healthy.' Soule said she thinks Humana may hope to increase its presence in Waco and become popular with more Waco employers by adding Hillcrest to its provider list.

'Hillcrest Health System offers a comprehensive range of services that we are proud to offer our members,' Willis said in a statement. Those services, he said, include a 393-bed hospital, McLennan County's only Level II Trauma Center and the county's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Hillcrest also has a network of nine primary care clinics that stretches from Gatesville to Bellmead.

It also has announced plans to build two new hospitals, including a children's medical facility, at Interstate 35 and West Loop 340 on the Legends Crossing site.

Bill Willis, vice president for managed care/finance at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, said the economic impact the deal will have for Hillcrest 'depends on how successful Humana is in this area. They are a major player in the health care insurance industry, and from a personal standpoint, I'm always in favor of people having choices.' Willis said Hillcrest will accept patients covered by Humana programs at their places of employment as well as those who buy policies of their own.

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